To buy or not to buy

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Z

zaqizbaq

Distinguished
Mar 29, 2010
25
0
18,530
Current set up.

amd 3800x2
not to sure the mb, asus
4 gigs ddr2 800
8800 gt
550 watt ps


Im thinking of upgrading a little, my question is it worth it or should I just buy a new card.

I'm going to be playing swtor so I would like to be ready for that. I enjoy oblivion but its such a pig, it plays ok....
lags out a little when running around the forest though, I would enjoy a smoother game play.

This is what I was looking at:
ASUS M4A77TD AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD
MD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
XFX HD-489X-ZSFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V

The entire build would cost 1000 with windows7 :)
I'm I just wasting my money? Any help would be great!!!
Should I wait? Just upgrade some parts?

THanks Z :hello:
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
englandr753

englandr753

Distinguished
Sep 4, 2007
2,652
8
21,115
Run CPUz from www.cpuid.com and click on the motherboard tab and get the model from there. You can also pop your side door case off and check for labeling directly on the motherboard.

It will greatly help if you can give the exact model of your motherboard as you might be able to upgrade to a better cpu (BIOS flash likely required) with the current hardware you have.

You're new setup you are considering will work nicely. I just can't recommend going that route as of yet without knowing what your current motherboard cpu support limitations are... = )
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jyjjy

jyjjy

Splendid
Feb 27, 2006
9,877
1
31,960
For $1k you should at least be able to make that a Phenom II. The PSU is a bit much unless you plan on crossfiring at some point and that motherboards second PCIE slot is x4 which basically makes it useless. I'd go for an HD5770 over the HD4890 myself, especially if you want to crossfire later on.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Z

zaqizbaq

Distinguished
Mar 29, 2010
25
0
18,530
Hi Thanks guys for the reply.

Ok my mb is the m3a <green> a1m0ab209358

My ps is the antec tru power 550 btw.


Ya Im in canada, the parts are not as cheap as teh usa. If you guys though it would make a difference I would get a slightly better cpu and mb though. All I really use the pc for is basic stuff and GAMES :)

For that 1000 though I get everything case and all and could maybe sell this one to a buddy for a few bucks, not to worried about it though.
I just cant wait to play this game... http://www.swtor.com/media/trailers/deceived-cinematic-trailer


Z
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
englandr753

englandr753

Distinguished
Sep 4, 2007
2,652
8
21,115
Upgrade the processor hands down. If this is your board get a quad:

http://reviews.cnet.com/motherboards/asus-m3a-motherboard-atx/1707-3049_7-32785154.html#manDesc

It appears your board supports up to the 1st generation Phenom x2 & x4 cpus and not the 2nd gen chips. This is fine. I would get the cheapest quad I could find and be done with it for a while.

I would do something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103708&cm_re=phenom_x4-_-19-103-708-_-Product

You will see a nice difference and save the 900 you didn't spend for a rainy day...
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Z

zaqizbaq

Distinguished
Mar 29, 2010
25
0
18,530
Thanks for all your help!

Would I have to flash my bios? Im a noob lol
If it was just plug and play would I have to reinstall windows?
Man i just want a new rig so bad, I think im just addicted to looking at pc parts! :D

Much love Z :bounce:
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jyjjy

jyjjy

Splendid
Feb 27, 2006
9,877
1
31,960
You may need to update the bios, maybe not but it's a good idea anyway. You will not need to reinstall windows after upgrading the CPU.
But if you really want a new system then go for it. I still think what you listed shouldn't $1k. Even with Canadian prices you should be able to work out even an i7 system on that budget.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
englandr753

englandr753

Distinguished
Sep 4, 2007
2,652
8
21,115



Its a disease we all get from time to time. If you can afford it then go for it. I was just making a suggestion to try to save you some money if you really didn't want or need to spend it.

I just think you can get what you want out of the cpu upgrade in itself. Theres no law saying you cant build a new pc if you want to... :bounce: :D
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Z

zaqizbaq

Distinguished
Mar 29, 2010
25
0
18,530
Cool guys!

Ill list ALL the parts so you can see the G$



So you really think the cpu is the key! What bothers me the most at this point is playing oblivion and getting little load lags when running through the forest, it still plays mw2 like a champ, tis is tru.

Cpu fixes oblivion? My card is the 8800gt 512, I have a perfect 3870 just sitting here! My buddy upgraded and just gave me the 3870..

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131603
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150438
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103706
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jyjjy

jyjjy

Splendid
Feb 27, 2006
9,877
1
31,960


http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119161
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103656
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371031
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130249
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121363
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
Leave the OS and hard drive the same. It's got a Phenom II x4 instead of the Athlon II and a motherboard that can actually handle crossfire rather than one with a useless x4 port. The case is slightly smaller(do you really need 5 drive bays?) and I swapped out the HD4890 for an HD5770 that allows you to bump up the voltage of the core which should allow it to match or surpass the HD4890 while giving you DX11 and much greater power efficiency/less heat. These parts are also $67 less in total.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
englandr753

englandr753

Distinguished
Sep 4, 2007
2,652
8
21,115
The same cpu is now 139.99 and free shipping:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103656&cm_re=amd_am3_cpu-_-19-103-656-_-Product


This card is clocked a little higher for the same price and has a lifetime warranty:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150464&cm_re=ati_5770-_-14-150-464-_-Product

if you want to save a few bucks, its stock clocks and lifetime warranty:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150462&cm_re=ati_5770-_-14-150-462-_-Product

Enter promo code EMCYPPY55 for free shipping:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151175&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL033010&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL033010-_-EMC-033010-Index-_-CDDVDBurners-_-27151175-L0D

Personally for me, I found I prefer to upgrade my single video card to the latest best video card instead of investing in 2 or 3 video cards. I have a Q9550 with a 780i motherboard and I went tri-sli with 3 8800gtx acs3 video cards and had to put a floor fan in front of the case to keep from sweating while playing games.

Generally the newer cards run cooler and use less power than older cards (not always but usually). Especially compared to 2 older cards vs 1 single card. That almost always will be a cooler setup and less power draw. So technically you could go with a motherboard with a single pci-ex slot to expand your options on what motherboards you can use. Thats up to you...



 
Upvote 0 Downvote
englandr753

englandr753

Distinguished
Sep 4, 2007
2,652
8
21,115
Stick with your original cpu. The lack of the l3 cache isn't going to be visible. I can vouch for that as I own one too. Great cpu for the price.

The video card and processor is what I would consider changing. Other than that the rest looks good. I would prefer a corsair power supply but its not cheap in Canada.

Hit this link to see if you can get addition savings with their promo codes:

http://vouchercodes.ca/brand-names/newegg-canada/
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
englandr753

englandr753

Distinguished
Sep 4, 2007
2,652
8
21,115
Only getting an Athlon II? Theres not that much difference in the two cpus. If he wants to spend the xtra mpney to get the Deneb, thats his choice.

If he doesn't, my point is he will be plenty fine with the Athlon II. There's NOT much difference in performance between the two.

The Athlon II 620 is a direct comparison to the C2D Q6600 which in any instance is no slacker of a processor and the 925 is barely above both of them in performance. He wont notice the difference.

Get this one and you will be even closer to the performance of the 925:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103704&Tpk=athlon%20ii%20x4%20630

The comparison is like trying to decide which nascar driver to ride with. Sure some are faster than others but all are going upwards of 200 mph and will cure your desire for speed. = P
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Z

zaqizbaq

Distinguished
Mar 29, 2010
25
0
18,530
You guys are amazing!! Thank you so much!

I found someone to buy my current rig, so I'm going to go ahead and purchase and build.
I will look through all this information and keep you guys posted! muhaha Its gona be fun!

Thanks guys! :love:
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
englandr753

englandr753

Distinguished
Sep 4, 2007
2,652
8
21,115


It would simply downscale the speed of the ram to 1200mhz to match the boards max speed support. It would work fine.



If the 1 year warranty scares you, then consider this board:


http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131402&cm_re=asus_am3_790-_-13-131-402-_-Product

I think jyjjy recommended that board so you would get two pci-ex 16x lanes instead of 1 16x and 1 8x or 2 8x lanes. Do you see yourself going crossfire or selling your old card and putting the money you wouldve spent on a second card and getting the latest greatest card or at least one that fits the budget that will match or beat two of your current cards?

I suggest sticking with a single card solution and getting a card with new features that new hardware has to offer.

I am running a 780i mobo and that has 3 pci-ex slots for tri-sli. I would much rather own a single fastest card vs 3 older cards. I have tried that route already and wasn't for me. But thats for you to decide for yourself...
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Z

zaqizbaq

Distinguished
Mar 29, 2010
25
0
18,530
I like the idea of one card really. I was thinking of just getting one 5770, its not a super card but Im sure it will be better than the 8800, and it means I can get a smaller ps as well. I like asus, I think I'll look around for the single slot card. So much to consider when building.
I like the idea of multi cards, but some people say they dont get the result they were looking for, and like you say the heat must be horrible and power ect.
Should I just go with my first card choice?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
englandr753

englandr753

Distinguished
Sep 4, 2007
2,652
8
21,115
Upvote 0 Downvote
englandr753

englandr753

Distinguished
Sep 4, 2007
2,652
8
21,115
You can add a few more components to this system with the psu I suggested. Don't think you are on the edge of its capacity and will blow something out if you add another hard drive.

I had a quad cpu, the same video card and 5 hard drives, 5 -120mm fans and 2 dvd roms installed with no issues. I had all of the connectors used on the psu was my only issue and had to use some splitters. Not a big deal by no means...
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom